. >>> the other big story in our area, the looming fiscal cliff. in the past 24 hours, there's been newfound optimism that democrats and republicans could come to a deal before december 31st. president obama met with house and senate leaders yesterday. lawmakers are hoping for a deal to help avoid tax increases for everyone as well as massive spending cuts in defense and other areas. if a deal can be reached, the senate would vote on it first and then it would head to the house. the latest the house would vote on a possible deal is january 2nd. the final full day before a new congress takes office. the house is set to return to work tomorrow night, however. speaker john boehner told fellow representatives there would be a session at 6:30 tomorrow night. he said he hopes to have a senate bill in his hand by then that they can vote on. and be sure to tune in tomorrow morning for "meet the press." david gregory will sit down with an exclusive interview with president obama. you can see "meet the press" here on nbc 4. the show starts at 10:30. >>> new